How to help: Granite Staters organize to help victims, families with benefits

By DOUG ALDENNew Hampshire Union Leader

Milly's Tavern owner Peter Telge's request for musicians and artists willing to perform at a benefit for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings was met with overwhelming response.

Telge said he received so many offers within hours of his Facebook post Wednesday that he was trying to decide if he could fit them all in for one big event or a series of shows at his Manchester tavern.

He said New Hampshire singer/songwriter Alli Beaudry has approached him about the fundraiser and volunteered to play. Offers from other musicians, bands and comedians followed, leaving Telge trying to coordinate who was available and when. He is happy to be dealing with the logistical tangle.

"I have a place and I have a lot of connections. I try to use them both to help any way I can," said Telge, whose wife, Christine Telge, finished the race about 11 minutes before the first explosion on Boylston Street Monday afternoon.

Other Granite Staters offering help include Jessica Janowski of Goffstown, who runs a direct-sales business selling bags, purses and totes out of her home and is a professional dog trainer. Janowski, who grew up just north of Boston in Malden, Mass., has pledged to give all her bag commissions for the rest of the month to marathon-related charities. She is also offering discounts through her training company, www.puppyplease.com. The offer is $15 off any group training package or $25 for private training service to anyone showing they donated blood.

-- http://runnersalley.com - The runner-specialty store will host "Run for Boston" Saturday at 8 a.m. in Portsmouth, Manchester and Nashua

While the list of groups and charities has grown in the days since the bombings, the Better Business Bureau issued a warning Wednesday of at least one "charity" that is actually a scam trying to take advantage of people's urge to help victims of the bombings. The warning and other tips can be found at http://bbb.org.